INCLUDING BIOPHILIA FOR ENHANCED WELLBEING

The Role of Biophilic Design in Modern Spas

Nature is an essential element in restoring well-being. It is well-documented that natural elements positively impact both body and mind. Despite this, statistics show that people currently spend 90% of their time indoors. This trend is so concerning that in 2007, the World Future Society listed "Nature Deficit Disorder" among the top 10 factors that could impact and change global health in the coming years.

This awareness has led to a shift in perspective in architecture and interior design. Progress has been made possible through studies and scientific research conducted at Psychology and Medical universities, which have identified the characteristics of the built environments causing stress, and those having a restorative effect on humans.

Today, we know that through biophilic design, it is possible to create indoor environments that rejuvenate almost as much as a walk in the woods. The goal is to create spaces where stress-inducing elements are neutralized and regenerative components are maximized. This is also the mission of Giuliana Salmaso, architect and founder of STUDIO GIULIANA SALMASO, an architectural firm born from the aspiration to enhance people's well-being by creating restorative spaces. Giuliana also teaches biophilic design in residential, commercial, workplace, and hospitality settings at Unicusano University in Rome.

Most recently, STUDIO GIULIANA SALMASO elaborated a concept of a biophilic wellness space focused on the cold therapy journey, incorporating TechnoAlpin Indoor’s snow solutions.

The Importance of Biophilic Design

Biophilic design, grounded in science and evidence-based principles, creates indoors almost as restorative as a walk in the woods. This approach incorporates natural elements, materials, and shapes into the built environment. There are various ways to integrate nature into design: directly incorporating natural elements, utilizing or mimicking natural materials and shapes, or even recreating the sense of a space associated with natural settings, such as a sense of refuge, mystery, prospect or fascination.

Comparative scientific studies between biophilic and non-biophilic environments show that biophilic spaces have a greater regenerative effect on people's well-being. Specifically, being in a biophilic space reduces stress, fosters a greater sense of calm and relaxation, improves attention, increases positive emotions, and enhances attachment to the place (Terrapin Bright Green | The Economics of Biophilia, 2nd Edition).

Naturally, the application of biophilic design is of particular interest in environments where well-being is the main goal, such as healthcare facilities, wellness centres, and spas. The synergy between biophilic design and wellness-focused services in the spa industry highlights an evolution in the visitor experience, significantly improving customer loyalty. Being in spaces designed according to biophilic principles reduces blood pressure, promotes relaxation, and amplifies the effects of wellness treatments.

Numerous studies have shown that hospital patients exposed to natural elements or even just a view of nature recover significantly faster than those in environments lacking these features, thereby increasing turnover and resulting in a greater return on investment (ROI).

Related statistics for the hospitality and the retail sectors show that spaces integrating nature are more likely to attract repeat visitors and encourage longer stays. In spa and wellness centres, where the goal is to create spaces that promote relaxation and stress reduction, guests tend to stay longer and return more frequently due to the positive experiences they have.

“In a few years, living, working, healing, relaxing, and enjoying oneself in a restorative space will be the norm. Indoor spaces will be restorative. Currently, there is a knowledge gap, but awareness and sensitivity are rapidly expanding, and with them, the need and desire for restorative spaces. When people become aware of how much the spaces they inhabit can enhance their own well-being, choosing a restorative space will be obvious."

- Giuliana Salmaso

Historical Integration of Natural Elements in Spas

Historically, natural elements have been integral to spa design, with water playing a central role. The Romans not only utilized water but also replicated natural water bodies like lakes in their thermae to harness its positive effects on the body. The term "SPA" itself originates from the Latin phrase "salus per aquam," meaning "health through water."

In ancient Egypt, Greece, and China, the ritual of purification was inspired by natural water sources. Furthermore, the practice of using hot and cold elements in spas dates back to ancient Rome, where the "frigidarium" provided a place to cool down after the caldarium and tepidarium.

In the 19th century, Sebastian Kneipp further explored the therapeutic benefits of water through contrast therapy, which involves alternating between hot and cold water. This method, along with other natural elements, continues to influence modern spa design.

The Japanese Onsen tradition connects nature with indoor and outdoor water sources, offering an experience akin to bathing directly in nature.

These ancient strategies persist in modern times, with contrast therapy now supported by scientific research. Techniques like the cold plunge or cryotherapy enhance muscle regeneration for athletes, and natural elements are incorporated into spa and wellness areas to promote well-being and relaxation. Biophilic design is a science-based approach, deeply rooted in historical knowledge.

“Cold with Joy”: real snow in the wellness area

Recently, Giuliana Salmaso created a wellness space based on the scientific principles of biophilic design, reconnecting with historical knowledge. Her design includes a path that guides visitors through warm and cold elements, various forms of water, and finally, snow. This concept of "cold with joy" reinvents contrast therapy, making the cold experience accessible and enjoyable for everyone, without shock.

„"TechnoAlpin Indoor goes beyond athletes and performance, addressing the need for accessible cold therapy for all. Regeneration happens under the banner of joy, vitality, and the wonder of snow."

-Giuliana Salmaso

Just as the ancient Romans elevated the indoor water experience with the architecture of their baths, TechnoAlpin Indoor elevates the indoor snow experience through biophilic design. Cooling down with real snow invites guests to experience the cold with all their senses.

Walking under the snowfall of SNOWSKY and touching the soft flakes is a simple and effective way to cool down. The most immersive way to experience cold and cool down holistically is the SNOWROOM. Surrounded by cold air and soft snow, it offers guests an engaging, immersive, and refreshing way to end a sauna session. This environment creates a refuge-like atmosphere that promotes an interactive and emotional connection with nature and enhances regeneration.

TechnoAlpin CUBIC Design SnowRoom TA_0026

Snow not only represents a natural and fascinating element but also provides an efficient way of cooling down. With SNOWSKY, only about 11 litres of water per hour are needed. To provide context, a water-saving shower uses an average of 10-12 litres per minute.

The SNOWROOM uses only 200 litres of water per week, made possible by the patented snow nozzle that produces snow with a volume five times greater than the water used, maximizing efficiency and minimizing resource consumption. An interesting aspect is that the energy used to cool the SNOWROOM can be thermally recovered and reused, for example, to heat a nearby pool—an ideal solution for spa areas.

TechnoAlpin Indoor Biophilic Design Studio Salmaso

The spa designed by Giuliana Salmaso is a creative indoor space that is multisensory, immersive, and unique. Inspired by TechnoAlpin's ability to generate soft indoor snow, the various areas of the spa area surrounded by the enchanting sight of falling snow. The architect explains, "I wanted to capture that feeling of well-being, intimacy, happiness, and purity that one experiences when watching snow fall from indoors. The different areas of the spa are like refuges immersed in the calm and silent atmosphere of a snowfall."

The wellness area focuses on the balance between warm and cold experiences, while the relaxation area and the pool are set within a snowy indoor space that also features alpine plants. This space allows guests to experience a true snowfall. Throughout the spa, visitors feel as though they are in an indoor space with a view of a snowy landscape, creating the illusion of being outdoors despite being inside.

The relaxation area is designed as a warm refuge centred around a large fire pit. Natural dark wood surfaces and calming natural colours create a welcoming contrast with the serene winter environment.

TechnoAlpin Indoor Biophilic Design Mädchen Natur

The wellness area is the heart of the spa, characterized by water in various forms and temperatures. It features a warm water pool with a circular cold-water basin in the centre, complete with a snowfall effect from above. Natural-looking stones emerge from the water, allowing guests to cross from one side of the pool to the other. The water experience ranges from the stillness of the pool to the waterfalls cascading from the rocky walls at the sides, and a large area in the centre where snow falls, making the snow experience in a warm environment even more enchanting.

TechnoAlpin Indoor Biophilic Design View 02

Behind slanted stone walls, there are small "cocoons" or rooms with various functions. On one side, there's the hot path featuring a sauna, hot tub, steam room, and salt room. On the other side, there's the cold path with snow rooms, a SNOWSKY area, and a Kneipp path. In designing these areas, Giuliana has integrated calm and elegant waiting lounges, as well as inner gardens to provide views of nature, ensuring maximum regeneration and benefit during the various experiences.

TechnoAlpin Indoor Biophilic Design View 04

From the relaxation area, guests can access the pool surrounded by an indoor snowy landscape. This arrangement offers a unique and immersive spa experience, making visitors feel as if they are swimming outdoors on a snowy day.

A well-designed restorative space, such as a spa area, should incorporate as many biophilic patterns as possible. An innovative approach is integrating snow, which provides thermal variability when combined with warm elements like a sauna. Referring to the biophilic design patterns by Terrapin Bright Green, snow offers not only a visual connection with nature (pattern 1), but also a tactile experience through contact with the snow (pattern 2: non-visual connection with nature). The non-linear way in which snow falls from the ceiling creates non-rhythmic sensory stimuli (pattern 3). Additionally, snow is an unexpected, surprising, and fascinating element (pattern 15).

Considering this, the integration of snow in an indoor spa environment covers at least four of the 15 biophilic design patterns. However, snow itself is a biophilic element that designers can use, just like water, plants, and animals, explains Giuliana Salmaso.

"Snow is a natural element that it is suitable to be integrated in indoor biophilic design. It is fascinating, a form of water, and engages all the senses. It’s important to note that this snow quality is not crushed ice or ice crystals, but real, soft snow like in nature. This makes a difference in the perception it generates."

-Giuliana Salmaso